Case Development

Case Development services cases in the estate and business areas. Several levels of analysis are available, depending on the facts presented.

Heading this unit is Alan Cone, J.D, CLU, ChFC.  After graduating magna cum laude from both undergraduate and law school, Alan served as a tax specialist in a large southwestern law firm. He has worked in advanced underwriting since 1978, and has broad experience in both business and estate strategies. Prior to joining The Nautilus Group, Alan headed the Advanced Underwriting Department for Canada Life’s U.S. Division.

Case Development Unit Manager, Mina D. Frannea, is an Honor graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas, and holds a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in law. Her background includes substantial client relations, estate planning, insurance, retail management, and Constituent casework for a U.S. Senator. Mina heads the Nautilus office employees’ Committee for Charitable Activities.

Case Development Unit Manager, Derek S. Kaloust, J.D., LL.M., received his B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and holds a law degree from Suffolk University Law School. In 1998, he earned a Master of Laws in Taxation from Boston University Law School. Derek's background is primarily in estate and business planning. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Florida Bar Associations.

Case Development Unit Manager, Steven Weinstein, J.D., LL.M., holds a bachelors degree from the University of Southern California, a law degree from Whittier College, and an LL.M. in taxation from Southern Methodist University. In law school, Steven was managing editor of the law review and received the American Jurisprudence Award for Estate Planning. Prior to joining Nautilus in 1997, Steven’s experience included IRS District Counsel, private tax litigation, and ERISA and employee benefits with the Dallas office of Ernst & Young.

Stephen J. Blum graduated from Southern Methodist University with Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Accounting and Finance. After graduation, Steve worked for an international accounting firm focusing on Forensic accounting procedures and financial and economic evaluations. Prior to joining The Nautilus Group, he worked for a Certified Public Accounting firm, auditing and assisting in the preparation of financial statements, preparing state and federal tax returns, and preparing business plans, including income and cash flow analyses.

John David Harness, J.D., joined The Nautilus Group in 2000. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston and a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining The Nautilus Group, J.D. was a Staff Attorney for the United States Small Business Administration.

Jason G. Kyle, J.D., received his law degree from St. Mary's School of Law. He earned a B.S. from Texas A & M at Commerce with a double major in Political Science and History. Jason is currently pursuing a Master of Laws in Taxation from Southern Methodist University. Prior to joining The Nautilus Group, Jason had his own practice in Dallas/Forth Worth.

Lisa L. Maillet, J.D., holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Baylor University and a Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law. She joined The Nautilus Group in 2000 as an Estate and Legal Analyst. In addition to having served as an assistant county and district attorney in various Texas counties, Lisa also worked for a non-profit agricultural membership organization in Waco as a staff attorney before coming to Nautilus.

Glenda C. Pearson, CLU, ChFC, has more than 25 years of experience in the life insurance industry, 18 of which were in advanced underwriting support in the home office of a large, Dallas-based life insurance company. Glenda came to The Nautilus Group in 1994, following a career as an agent in the New York Life, Dallas, General Office. A graduate of El Centro College in Texas, Glenda's efforts for Nautilus are devoted primarily to the drafting of written estate analyses.

Jared R. Saenz, CPA, returned to The Nautilus Group in 2000 after spending two years with a Dallas accounting firm that specialized in financial planning, investment advisory services, tax return preparation, and tax planning. While at Nautilus from 1995 to 1998, Jared worked in the Financial Analysis Department preparing estate planning, retirement, qualified plan distribution, and cash flow analyses. Jared graduated with a BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Dustin H. Sparks, J.D., graduated with Honors from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Law Criminal Justice, and received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma with emphasis placed on Corporate and Taxation Law. In addition to working for a firm in Oklahoma, Dustin spent time teaching law studies to advanced High School students in the Carrollton Independent School District, prior to joining The Nautilus Group.

Andrea Sutton, J.D., received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from Texas Southern University - Thurgood Marshall School of Law. In law school, Andrea was Managing Editor of the Law Review. Prior to joining The Nautilus Group, Andrea worked for a national fee-based financial counseling firm, providing guidance to clients on a variety of financial and estate planning issues.

Christopher J. Yoson, J.D., joined The Nautilus Group’s Case Development Department in 2000. Christopher received his law degree from the Southern Methodist University School of Law and is licensed to practice in Texas and Washington, D.C. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas and is currently pursuing an LL.M. in Taxation at SMU. Prior to joining Nautilus, Christopher was employed by Southwestern Bell as a Manager and Financial Analyst.

Case Development Production Manager, Penny Allen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology at the Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. She joined Nautilus in February 2000, as a second career after working for the State of Oklahoma in the Social Work field for 30 years. Penny is responsible for the daily tracking and processing of cases.